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Everyone needs a little help being a human. From sleep to saving money to parenting and more, we talk to the experts to get the best advice out there. Life Kit is here to help you get it together.

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Diet culture is everywhere. Here's how to fight it
Gracia Lam for NPR

Diet culture is everywhere. Here's how to fight it

In 2021, nearly half of all New Year's resolutions in the U.S. were based on weight loss. Why do we set these goals for ourselves? Diet culture, the social expectations that value thinness and appearance above all else can impact how we view our bodies and treat others. The good news is, we can free ourselves from this mindset.

Diet culture is everywhere. Here's how to fight it

Listen · 32:20
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Stressed? Instead of distracting yourself, try paying closer attention
Sol Cotti for NPR

Stressed? Instead of distracting yourself, try paying closer attention

It's counterintuitive, but an effective way to manage our negative reactions to life's stressors actually involves slowing down and paying very close attention. Jon Kabat-Zinn, the founder of mindfulness-based stress reduction, explains how to begin a meditation practice — and how doing so can help you seize the present moment.

Stressed? Instead of distracting yourself, try paying closer attention

Listen · 17:30
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When it comes to exercise, "all movements count"
Shannon Wright for NPR

When it comes to exercise, "all movements count"

Feeling blocked with it comes to starting an exercise habit? You can actually get the health benefits of exercise with just 22 minutes of exercise a day — and you might be surprised what "counts" as exercise. Kiss your excuses goodbye! (This episode originally aired in December 2018.)

When it comes to exercise, "all movements count"

Listen · 16:09
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You don't need a party to make a toast: Here's how to give one for any occasion
Simone Noronha for NPR

You don't need a party to make a toast: Here's how to give one for any occasion

It's the wild card of every big event — the toast. If you're giving a new year's toast, a best man or maid of honor speech, or any other toasts this coming year, we've got some tips to make sure people remember your toast with fondness and not horror.

You don't need a party to make a toast: Here's how to give one for any occasion

Listen · 20:26
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6 tips on taking a break from drinking
Becky Harlan/NPR

6 tips on taking a break from drinking

Thinking about taking a break from drinking? Here are ways to help you make a plan, navigate tricky social situations and reassess your relationship with alcohol so you can experience the benefits of dry January. (This episode originally aired in January 2020.)

6 tips on taking a break from drinking

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How solitude can help you regulate your mood
Kristen Uroda for NPR

How solitude can help you regulate your mood

Everyone needs a little alone time, but during this pandemic, you may have felt like you had too much "me" time or not enough. Let's get that balance back! This episode breaks down research behind what makes even small bouts of solitude restorative and what to do when you're alone too much. (This episode originally aired in July 2020.)

How solitude can help you regulate your mood

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How to give thoughtful holiday gifts on a budget
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How to give thoughtful holiday gifts on a budget

Holiday gift exchanges can feel like a burden, especially if you're shopping on a budget. Here are tips from a shopping expert on how to give more thoughtful presents — without breaking the bank. (This episode originally aired in December 2020.)

How to give thoughtful holiday gifts on a budget

Listen · 17:27
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Your questions on holiday anxieties, answered by psychologist Andrea Bonior
Becky Harlan/NPR

Your questions on holiday anxieties, answered by psychologist Andrea Bonior

We asked for your questions on navigating the holiday blues. Clinical psychologist Andrea Bonior guides us through some rough patches involving family, money, loneliness and safety.

Your questions on holiday anxieties, answered by psychologist Andrea Bonior

Listen · 23:56
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What happens in our brain when we grieve — and how it helps us stay afloat
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What happens in our brain when we grieve — and how it helps us stay afloat

When we lose a loved one, it can feel like we've lost a part of ourselves. And for good reason, our brains are learning how to live in this world without someone we care about in it. In this episode, psychologist Mary-Frances O'Connor explains what happens in our brain when we experience grief. (A version of this episode originally aired on NPR's Short Wave.)

What happens in our brain when we grieve — and how it helps us stay afloat

Listen · 15:22
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Stop before you shop! You can give meaningful holiday gifts without buying new
Photo Illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR

Stop before you shop! You can give meaningful holiday gifts without buying new

Shopping secondhand can ease the environmental burden of holiday consumption — and save you money, too. Here are three tips to help you start cutting down this season.

Stop before you shop! You can give meaningful holiday gifts without buying new

Listen · 11:13
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